Active Matrix Displays

Abstract

An active matrix OLED display ( 200 ) comprising a data line ( 202 ), a plurality of pixel circuits ( 203 ) connected to the data line ( 202 ), a drive circuit ( 201 ) connected towards one end of the data line ( 202 ) for writing display data to the pixel circuits ( 203 ), and a programmable drive boost circuit ( 204 ) connected towards another end of the data line ( 202 ) from the drive circuit ( 201 ).

1 . An active matrix organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display comprising a data line, a plurality of pixel circuits connected to the data line, a drive circuit connected towards one end of the data line for writing display data to the pixel circuits, and a programmable drive boost circuit connected towards another end of the data line from the drive circuit. 
     
     
         2 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is connected to the data line at an opposite end to which the drive circuit is connected. 
     
     
         3 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is a current source or current sink. 
     
     
         4 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit comprises a select or enable circuit. 
     
     
         5 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is an enable circuit and the drive circuit is connected to the enable circuit by a data bus. 
     
     
         6 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is a current copier. 
     
     
         7 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the current copier is controllable as a variable current sink with a duty programmed enable signal. 
     
     
         8 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the current copier is controllable by a most significant bit of a programmed data signal. 
     
     
         9 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit and the drive circuit are located on the same substrate. 
     
     
         10 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the substrate comprises an amorphous silicon (a-Si) backplane. 
     
     
         11 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is a programmable current boost circuit. 
     
     
         12 . An active matrix OLED display as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the programmable drive boost circuit is a programmable voltage boost circuit. 
     
     
         13 . A method of programming an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, the OLED display having a current programmed data line, a plurality of pixel circuits connected to the data line, a driver circuit connected towards one end of the data line to write display data to the pixels, and a programmable drive boost circuit connected towards another end of the data line from the drive circuit; the method comprising a first addressing period including programming the programmable drive boost circuit with a first current; and a second addressing period including writing display data to the pixels and supplying the first current to the data line. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , including activating the programmable drive boost circuit with an enable data bit and one or more program data bits to provide a current biased with respect to the current provided to the data line from the drive circuit. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , including enabling the programmable drive boost circuit for a fixed time period. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , including enabling the programmable drive boost circuit and providing a current corresponding to the most significant bit of the digital signal information transmitted by the driver circuit. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , including programming the programmable booster circuit to vary according to a duty cycle. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the display comprises a flat panel display. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the display comprises a top-emitting active matrix OLED display. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)